- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasises his commitment to tackling challenges and advancing the nation: Attended by over 50 ministers, parliamentarians, and more than 15,000 residents to the “Ekwa Jaya Gamu – Api Galle” rally, the event focused on the government’s agenda and the importance of adhering to the IMF programme: Calls for political unity were also made.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa challenges Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and President Ranil Wickremesinghe to declare defiance to the Supreme Court’s ruling barring the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon outside the Chambers, without hiding behind parliamentary privileges: warns they will be facing the charge of contempt of court, should they announce the government’s decision to not accept the Supreme Court ruling.
- Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he is ready to comply with any decision taken by his party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) regarding the presidential candidate for the upcoming polls.
- The Department of Government Printing has completed the initial printing tasks for the upcoming Presidential Election and handed all required documents to the Election Commission: Materials for nominations and bond deposits are finalised, and a gazette notification has appointed District Secretaries as District Returning Officers: Government Printer Ganga Kalpani Liyanage confirms all election-related printing is on schedule.
- The European Union Council extends the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for another six months, announced on 26 July 2024: This measure, under Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, includes asset freezes and economic restrictions on individuals and groups linked to the LTTE, prohibiting EU entities from providing them with economic resources.
- C.P. Athaluwage, Chairman of the Road Development Authority (RDA), resigns due to what he described as “excessive interference” from the Ministry of Transport and Highways: cites persistent interference from the Ministry’s Secretary, which affected RDA’s operations over the past four and a half years: Despite efforts to maintain transparency, he steps down, citing the Secretary’s arbitrary actions.
- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) asserts Supreme Court rulings cannot be overridden by any entity, including the Prime Minister or Speaker: Condemning government attempts to undermine the Court’s decisions on IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s appointment, the BASL affirmed the Court’s authority over presidential nominations: emphasises the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction and expressed confidence in the judiciary’s integrity, with hearings set for November 11, 2024.
- As part of its Naval Social Responsibility project, the Sri Lanka Navy inaugurates two new Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Palugaswewa and Kekirawa, Anuradhapura: Guided by Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Navy installed these plants to provide safe drinking water to Kumbukwewa and Shasthraweli villages, supported by the Ministry of Health and Presidential Secretariat funding.
- A Police constable in Kollupitiya has been suspended for allegedly attempting to plant cannabis in a car during a traffic stop: A widely shared mobile phone video shows passengers accusing the officer of extortion: The constable, found chewing betel and improperly conducting the search, was suspended following an inquiry: Kollupitiya Police continue to investigate.
- India triumphed over Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the first T20I held in Pallekele: India posted a formidable 213/7, driven by Suryakumar Yadav’s 58 and Rishabh Pant’s 49: Despite Pathum Nissanka’s valiant 79, Sri Lanka was all out for 170: Matheesha Pathirana took 4/40, while Riyan Parag’s 3/5 secured the win for India.
